with leaders, led 11th, headed briefly before 4 out, headed 4 out, ridden before 3 out, one pace
in rear, headway before 13th, led 4 out, clear before 2 out, mistake last, kept on well
with leader, challenged and every chance before 4 out, quickly weakened and pulled before 4 out
held up behind, kept on from 4 out, weakened before last
tracked leaders in 5th, ridden before 3 out, kept on and no chance with winner
led, headed 11th, pushed along 5 out, soon weakened and pulled up before 4 out
mid-division, headway before 4 out, led briefly before 4 out, weakened before last
held up mid-division, took keen hold, ridden before 3 out, kept on same pace
Nonrunner
This is slightly better than the normal veterans' races though Junior is likely to have a stiffer test awaiting him. Pineau De Re is still 8lb higher than his last victory for Philip Fenton at Downpatrick in April while Richard's Sundance, who has won here and scored at Sandown a year ago, hasn't been seen since the Cheltenham Festival though isn't badly treated. TULLAMORE DEW landed a novice chase at Plumpton three years ago but hasn't been successful since. However, he's been competing at a much higher level and his second in the Grade 3 Rowland Meyrick at Wetherby last time would be good enough for this. Alderluck stays marathon trips and loves testing ground. He looks well handicapped on his victory at Bangor in February and hasn't had too much racing since. Ballyoliver is another dropping in grade though still looks high in the weights.
Junior 25-1 (11-10) Prominent, ridden 10th, soon behind, 4th of 8, 37l behind Cloudy Too (11-0) at Wetherby 3m 1f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) sft in Dec.
Pineau De Re (FR) 11-2 (11-8) Held up in rear, headway 4 out, soon ridden and no impression, 7th of 9, 31l behind Sausalito Sunrise (11-1) at Haydock 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (3) sft in Dec.
Richard's Sundance (IRE) 40-1 (11-5) In touch, outpaced 2 out (usual 3 out), weakened flat, 9th of 24, 32l behind Same Difference (11-0) at Cheltenham 3m 1f (2) gs in Mar.
Ballyoliver 7-1 (10-12) Mid-division, hit 13th, headway approaching 2 out (normal 4 out), weakened before last (normal 2 out), tailed off, 8th of 10, well behind Across The Bay (11-12) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs 0-145 (2) hvy in Dec.
Tullamore Dew (IRE) 8-1 (10-0) Mid-division, ridden and one pace from 4 out, 2nd of 8, 10l behind Cloudy Too (11-0) at Wetherby 3m 1f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) sft in Dec.
Shaking Hands (IRE) 12-1 (10-13) Tracking leader when fell 6th, in a race won by Financial Climate (10-9) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Dec, 7 ran.
Alderluck (IRE) 9-1 (11-4) Towards rear, mistake 8th, headway 17th, went 5th before 4 out, soon reminders, weakened 3 out, 4th of 12, 17l behind Major Malarkey (11-5) at Exeter 4m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Dec.
Triggerman 10-1 (11-6) In touch, pushed along 13th, effort 3 out, held in 3rd when blundered last, kept on, 4th of 9, 5l behind Samingarry (10-13) at Exeter 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Nov.
Armenian Boy (FR) 33-1 (11-9) Led until 7th, left in lead next, headed before 3 out, weakened from next, 11th of 17, 44l behind Ballyculla (11-8) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) sft in Nov.
